A new, modern facility for the city of Basel’s public transport operator BVB (Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe) is under construction on the site of the former Rank bus depot, part of its planned conversion to an all-electric bus fleet by 2027. The newbuild replaces the old 1950s bus garage, which had ceased to meet the company’s space, charging infrastructure and energy efficiency requirements. The new building brings together all of the operating company’s central functions – parking, maintenance and administration – in one compact structure.

Measuring some 120 meters in length and 70 meters across, the structure has four stories above ground and one below. The upper levels house e-bus parking bays and charging stations, the basement parking for service vehicles, plant rooms and ancillary space. A double-height workshop, office space and communal rooms complete the offering. The roof area is home to green spaces, a PV array and a small pavilion containing further workspace and training rooms.

The concrete load-bearing structure with its large span widths is both economical and sustainable. The in-situ cast walls, columns and beams form the structural backbone of the building, while prestressed ribbed slabs with a concrete overlay help reduce weight and save on materials. The roof structure is made in timber. A particular feature of the construction is the reuse of steel girders from BVB’s old Halle 72 shed, which have been incorporated into the new workshop ceiling. Most of the basement space from the previous building has been retained. The orderly layout of the load-bearing structure determines the architectural appearance of the building while also meeting the needs of the company’s operating procedures.

Great emphasis was placed on resource conversation during the demolition of the old bus garage. Many elements – in particular the steel girders – are being reused in the new build or on other projects planned by the Basel city authorities. This extensive recycling of materials, combined with a reduction in the amount of spoil produced and concrete used, the greening of the facades and roof and the large-scale PV array, has considerably reduced the building’s CO₂ footprint.